Have you ever thought about the cheapest European countries to visit? You can enjoy incredible experiences while visiting the cheapest nations in Europe. Turkey is the most economical travel destination in Europe with prices 53% lower than the EU average. Next Bulgaria and Romania, where prices are only 57% of those in the EU.
You may receive amazing value by traveling to these affordable European destinations. Travelers may get by on $30 to $50 each day. Hotel rooms range from $20 to $40 per night, while hostels cost between $10- $20 per night. Additionally, the food remains budget friendly. Restaurant meals range from $5 to $15, while street food costs $1-$2.
Now let us know about the best European countries to visit.
Cheapest European Countries to visit:
The top cheapest European countries to visit are:
- Albania
- North Marcedonia
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Hungary
1. Albania:
In 2025, Albania emerged as a hidden treasure among the cheapest European countries to visit. Depending on how you want to travel, backpackers can find amazing value in this beautiful coastline country, which is the heart of the Balkans, with a daily budget ranging from €20 to €40.
Albania Budget:
- Hostels cost €10–15 per night, while private rooms cost €20–25.
- Local food costs €2–5, whereas restaurants charge €5–15.
- Trips between cities cost €1–5, and local buses cost about €1.
- Most of the attractions cost between €0 and €10, while museums and historic sites won’t cost you more than €7.
Best Cities to visit in Albania:
Without spending over budget, every Albanian city offers something special:
Tirana: Tirana buzzes with life as the capital city. There are trendy cafes, vibrantly colored buildings, and fascinating spots like Bunk’Art, which is an old nuclear bunker converted into an art gallery. Despite being the biggest city in Albania, it maintains a relaxed vibe.
Berat: Berat is known as the “City of a Thousand Windows.” The Ottoman homes appear to flow down the slopes. This UNESCO World Heritage site shows off a castle from 14th-century and breathtaking views.
Saranda: Beach lovers flock to Saranda with its beautiful promenade and nearby beaches. In summer, this coastal hamlet becomes Albania’s beach tourism hub.
Top attractions in Albania:
Albania’s cultural and natural spots provide you great value:
- Some of the best views in Europe can be seen from the Llogara Pass. The recently constructed road overlooks the Albanian Riviera and winds through mountains.
- Gjirokaster, another UNESCO treasure, shows off Ottoman structures and beautiful brickwork. The castle has a fascinating exhibit about the Cold War and sits up high with great views.
- The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) is a favorite among nature fans. The crystal-clear blue water of this natural spring is the perfect spot to stop for two to three hours.
2. North Macedonia:
North Macedonia is one of the cheapest European countries to visit. This Balkan gem gives you an amazing experience at the prices that are far lower than those in Western Europe.
North Macedonia Budget:
- Budget hotels cost between €20 and €25, while hostel dorm beds only cost €13 per night.
- Restaurant dining typically costs €10–15, whereas a local meal costs €3–7.
- Buses inside the city cost less than €1, but those between Skopje and Ohrid cost €12–16.
- Most attractions are budget- friendly that cost between €1 and €3.
Best Cities to visit in North Macedonia:
Skopje: Skopje is a unique capital city because of its distinctive architecture and numerous statues. The Ottoman-era Old Bazar shows you history and the famous Stone Bridge connects the city’s two halves.
Ohrid: The beautiful Lake Ohrid is the location of the UNESCO-listed Ohrid. People refer to it as “Jerusalem of the Balkans”. The town charms visitors with its cobblestone pathways and Byzantine churches.
Bitola: Bitola, which is the second-largest city, is quite affordable. Hotels are less than €35 per night, and the majority of attractions are under €1.
Top attractions in North Macedonia:
- Matka Canyon is about 15 kilometers away from Skopje. Its breathtaking scenery beckons with hiking routes, boat trips, and ancient monasteries. Kayaking is ideal here because of the crystal green waters.
- At sunset, Ohrid’s Church of St. John at Kaneo offers breathtaking views of the lake. You might discover natural springs at the nearby peaceful Monastery Saint Naum.
- The Millennium Cross is located on Mount Vodno above Skopje.
3. Romania:
Romania is one of Eastern Europe’s most budget-friendly gems. Travelers get exceptional value here because daily costs are far lower than those in Western Europe.
Romania Budget:
Romania is also one of the cheapest European countries to visit with reasonable travel costs around €40–50 per day.
- A person in a mid-range hotel costs about 120 RON (€25), while hostel dorms cost between 50 and 70 RON (€10–15).
- Street food and making your own meals, it costs about 40 RON (€8) a day. A typical restaurant lunch costs 60 RON (€13).
- Daily fares for city buses and trams are about 30 RON (€6).
- The majority of attractions charge modest entrance fees of 4–10 EUR.
Best cities to visit in Romania:
Brasov: Brasov fascinates tourists with its breathtaking Carpathian Mountain background and medieval architecture. The city makes a great starting point for learning about nearby castles.
Sibiu: Sibiu takes you back to the Middle Ages. Ancient town squares, castle walls, and cobblestone streets all tell stories of the past. The monthly cost of living here is only €608 per month.
Craiova: Craiova gives the best value of all the cities in Romania. Monthly living cost average €522. A three-course meal for two individuals costs around €13, and a cappuccino costs €1.30.
Top attractions in Romania:
- One of the most visited tourist attractions in Romania is Bran Castle. This castle tells you about Dracula legends and interesting historical stories, though it wasn’t actually Vlad the Impaler’s residence.
- One of the most breathtaking journeys in Europe may be found on the Transfagarasan Highway. Every curve on its winding mountain roads offers stunning views. The Palace of Parliament in Bucharest is one of the largest administrative structures in the world. Visitors are amazed by tours because of its magnificent halls.
4. Bulgaria:
Bulgaria is one of the affordable travel destinations, with prices only 57% of those in the EU. Travelers who are looking for the cheapest European countries to visit have come to adore this hidden treasure in the Balkans. The country offers incredible experiences and exceptional value.
Bulgaria budget:
Travelers on a limited budget can spend €40–50 per day comfortably to explore Bulgaria. The breakdown of costs is as follows:
- In smaller towns, private rooms cost between €5 and €20 per person, while hostel dorms cost between €7 and €15 per night.
- Meals at restaurants cost €4–10, street food and bakeries €1.50-6, and local beer €1-2.50.
- City buses cost roughly €1 and cross-country trains less than €15.
- Free admission to the museum and its attractions, as well as free use of the hiking paths.
Best Cities to visit in Bulgaria:
Sofia: The vibrant city, Sofia, showcases Eastern Orthodox churches, Roman ruins, and modern galleries. Visitors can see famous sites including the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on free walking tours.
Plovdiv: The oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe is Plovdiv. This cultural center combines modern art with ancient Roman buildings. Cafés and street art abound in the Kapana Creative District.
Varna: Bulgaria’s “summer capital,” Varna, is the home to breathtaking beaches and archaeological sites. This coastal gem is a popular destination for night owls and beach lovers.
Top attractions in Bulgaria:
- Budget-friendly beaches can be found along the Black Sea coast. Sunny Beach has 130 restaurants and more than 200 hotels.
- Sozopol, the oldest city on the coast, captivates tourists with its pristine shores and beautiful nineteenth-century architecture.
- The Rila Mountains offer hikers amazing trails at Alpine costs. Bulgaria has some of the most reasonably priced ski resorts in Europe. Lift tickets run €20–42, and equipment rentals range from €12–15.
- Visitors are attracted to Veliko Tarnovo by its hillside homes and medieval fortress. Visitors to Tsarevets Fortress are rewarded with breathtaking views and nightly sound and light shows.
5. Hungary:
One of the cheapest European countries to visit is Hungary. Rich cultural experiences are available to tourists at prices far below those of Western Europe.
Hungary Budget:
Hungary may be explored for about €29–50 per day. The price varies depending on your preferred mode of transportation:
- Hostel dorms start at €11 per day for backpackers, while midrange rooms cost about €23 per day.
- Traditional restaurants set dinners at €5, while simple meals cost €2–€5 individually.
- Public transportation costs between €3 and €4.50 a day, while a monthly pass only costs €23.
- While mid-range tourists pay €4.17 per day, budget travelers spend roughly €2.86.
Best cities to visit in Hungary:
Budapest’s historic buildings and thermal baths astonish tourists and is one of the top places to visit in Europe. Here are some additional affordable cities that are worth visiting:
Szeged: Szeged, which is 180 kilometers south of Budapest, has cheaper real estate and daily costs. The presence of the city’s universities gives it a vibrant feel.
Eger: Eger is a popular tourist destination because of its ancient buildings, hot springs, and renowned wine area. and is located 138 kilometers east of Budapest. It takes roughly two hours to get there by rail from Budapest.
Balaton: Lake Balaton is also known as the “Hungarian Sea,” and is a great place to visit in the summer because of its beaches and water sports.
Top attractions in Hungary:
- With skip-the-line admission, the Széchenyi Thermal Baths offer a genuine Hungarian experience at only €20. Danube River cruise that offers breathtaking city views for €45.
- Budapest’s Fisherman’s Bastion, welcomes guests free of charge with its striking neo-Gothic architecture. You should also include Heroes’ Square, Buda Castle, and the Hungarian Parliament on your list.
Conclusion:
I hope this article provides you detailed information with the 5 cheapest European countries to visit along with the best cities in the particular countries. For young, enthusiastic travelers, it is almost a rite of passage to travel through Europe. It is an easy place to start your foreign explorations because of its safety, ease of travel, and plenty of other explorers. You can have an amazing experience by visiting the various countries in Europe.
